Millennium Celebration Plans Are Taking Shape

December 01, 1999|By Rhonda Hetrick Burke.

MCHENRY — The final touches are being put on plans for the city of McHenry's Millennium Party.

Organizers this week are working out the details of the three-day celebration, which kicks off on New Year's Eve, with a community bonfire at Petersen Park beginning at 6 p.m. Fireworks begin at 7 p.m. and will be rescheduled to Jan. 1, if weather cancels the New Year's Eve show.

"We really want this to be a family event," said Pete Merkel, director of parks and recreation. "We are offering free parking and the show should last about 15 minutes."

On Jan. 1, residents will be invited to City Hall for an open house from 1 to 4 p.m., which will include entertainment by three singing groups, refreshments and the opportunity to look at the contents of a time capsule that will be buried Jan. 8, to be opened in 100 years. The capsule will be buried outside the city's municipal center.

"We want the information in the capsule to represent what our life was like at the turn of the century, including the type of technology we use and certainly the Y2K scare," said Lisa Benoit, committee member.

Among the items to be included in the time capsule are: newspapers, magazines, especially editions which focus on the top stories of the century, yearbooks and a McHenry County Historical Society book.

Banners to celebrate the millennium are expected to arrive soon and will be hung in the business districts.

On Jan. 2, residents will be invited to McHenry West Campus High School for a Praise Celebration from 2 to 4 p.m., where several choirs including a children's choir, will perform. A fishing derby will be held at Petersen Park beach that morning.